Understand the risks of natural disasters
Natural disasters can occur anywhere. Running your business in the NT is no different. Equipping yourself now with knowledge, emergency kits and business continuity plans can help you if you are affected by a natural disaster in the future.
Some of the events you need to prepare for:
- Cyclones
- Floods
- Fires
- Heatwave
- Earthquakes
- Severe Storms
Read more about each of these weather events and what impact they can have:
Useful contacts for emergency situations
| Emergency | 000 |
| Police assistance | 131 444 |
| Power and Water | 1800 245 090 |
| NT Emergency services for assistance during floods, storms and cyclones | 132 500 |
| ABC radio in the Northern Territory | Listen to radio updates |
| Emergency alert | Emergency Alert |
| Weather updates (check the cyclone tracking map, current warnings, recent satellite images, radar maps, forecast, river levels). | Get weather updates |
| Insurance Council of Australia | 1800 734 621 |
Links to essential information
NT Emergency Services
Learn about the levels of emergency management and service in the NT
Secure NT
Reduce the potential impact of injury and damage to your property by creating an emergency plan
Australian Government Emergency Management for Business
Equip yourself with knowledge and tools specifically to business and emergency management.
NT Worksafe: Emergency Plan checklist
Familiarise yourself with this emergency plan checklist from NT Worksafe.
Tools to help you prepare
Preparing for a natural disaster may include creating emergency response plans, training staff, and securing critical data. If you have to recover from a disaster, swift action in assessing damages, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing recovery plans will help you recover as quickly as possible.
As a start, here is what you might want to think about for your business:
- Emergency plan - Visit Prepare your business for an emergency to create a risk assessment and business continuity plan. Also check Emergency plans for a check list of emergency tasks and responsibilities. If needed, implement the emergency plan in a timely manner and ensure your staff has enough time to home safely.
- Emergency kit - Visit Emergency kits to ensure your business has a fully stocked and up-to-date emergency kit ready to handle unexpected situations. Having the right resources in place is essential for protecting yourself and your employees.
- Insurance - If you have already business insurance, check that it covers for potential risks. You can double check the types of insurance you need. Also speak to your insurance broker about what types of insurance you can access. It is good practice to review your insurance every year.
- Business continuity - Securing your data, identifying potential alternative ways of selling your product or service, securing temporary business space can help you plan for business as usual in an emergency recovery situation. Learn how to develop an emergency management plan.
Recovering from a natural disaster
Recovering from a natural disaster can be a stressful time. Having some useful information on hand can be a good place to start.
Access this helpful information about recovering in the NT:
Continue to follow the advice and direction from emergency services in your area. Only return to your business when it is safe. Only once official all clear is given, you can conduct an assessment on your business and any damage that has occurred.
Use the business recovery checklist developed by the Australian Government for businesses:
Helpful Tip:
Add this to your emergency kit.
